Page 81 of A Love That Broke Us
I grab a knife, cut it in half, and pop it into my mouth. Bitter powder seeps across my tongue from the freshly split pill. Bringing the glass to my lips, I let the cold water swirl around, trying to wash out the taste. I kick it back and swallow.
I drop the other half into the ibuprofen bottle, wipe the counter clean, and carry the bottle to my office. Gripping the zipper on my work bag, I tug it open and drop it inside.
I sink into my desk chair, my good knee bouncing. Sleep’s pointless now. I have to be up in less than an hour anyway. I force myself to be productive—flip open my laptop and run a few reports, then open a presentation I’ve been prepping for the executive team. Each passing minute drags, feeling like an eternity, as I wait for the Oxy to kick in and do its job.
My gaze flicksto the clock on my laptop. It’s only been twenty-five minutes? It feels like it’s been an hour. My knee’s still throbbing. It should’ve kicked in by now.Shit. It’s not working.
I lean back, stroking my jaw, my elbow resting on my arm crossed tight over my stomach. My eyes lock on my backpack, my knee still bouncing. I’m restless as fuck.
I don’t think. I just move.
Before I know it, I’m unzipping my pack and reaching for the ibuprofen bottle. My fingers close around it, pulse pounding in my throat. I know what I’m doing. I know exactly what I’m doing.
I fish the other half from the bottle, bitter powder dusting my fingertips. There’s no hesitation this time. I pop it into my mouth, gather enough spit to swallow, and feel the heat rise across my tongue as it slides down.
And I swear to God—I already feel better.
Chapter Twenty-Five
JENSEN
THEN
The breeze hits my chest,and my unbuttoned shirt blows open, cold air brushing against my nipples. I scan the crowd, catching a glimpse of Alley inside, laughing with Jordan and a few other girls.
That red swimsuit she’s wearing is doing things to me. No way I’m focused on this conversation. It took some convincing, but she finally agreed.
Matt’s Halloween party theme this year is famous couples, and I picked Kid Rock and Pamela Anderson. Sure, they were short-lived, but they count. She fought me hard on the Baywatch suit, but I won—mostly. She made me agree she could wear jean shorts with it.
And she’skillingit.
Seriously, she looks sexy as hell. No question, I’ve got the hottest wife at this party. Her tits are pushed up with a strapless bra, making them look larger than usual, and it’s taking everything in me not to drag her into one of Matt’s guest bedrooms and suck one into my mouth.
I adjust my dick as it starts to chub and force my eyes away, turning my attention back to Matt and our mutual friend, Landon.
I shift my weight to my good leg. My knee’s okay, for now. Stillsore, always nagging, but bearable. I’ve taken a full Oxy each morning for the past three days, and it’s made a huge difference. It gets me through work. Ibuprofen’s been enough to manage the pain at night as it wears off. It doesn’t take it away, but it dulls the edge.
I took another half about thirty minutes before we left for the party. I knew all the walking and standing would be rough, and I didn’t want to be a buzzkill or make Alley leave early. So far, it’s helped. The pain’s been manageable.
I panicked when I cut that last one in half, though. I’ve only got two and a half left. I don’t have a clue what I’m going to do when I run out.
I just need a few more, enough to get me through next week, after my MRI. The doctor didn’t prescribe anything. I didn’t expect painkillers, but I need something stronger than ibuprofen and Aleve. He told me to “Wrap it, ice it, and keep taking those two anti-inflammatories until we can get an MRI.”
The MRI’s scheduled for Wednesday. If I don’t need surgery, I can get an injection, and start physical therapy. But if I do need surgery… fuck, I don’t want to think about that.
I just need to get through next week and get the injection. The last one gave me solid relief for a while.
Still, only three pills left.Two and a half, I correct myself.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spot Seth mingling with a group of guys I don’t really know.Seth.He went to college with Matt and me. He always had connections. The kind I’m in desperate need of right now. But that was years ago, back when Matt and I got high just for the hell of it—weed, blow, shrooms—even Adderall.
There’s no way he’s still dealing.Jesus, get a grip.He’s not twenty anymore. We’re in our thirties now. We’ve got jobs, wives. He might even have kids. And what am I gonna do—walk up and ask if he sells painkillers?
I almost laugh at how ridiculous I’m being. I’m not some fucking drug addict. But still, maybe he knows someone. Just to get me through the week.
“Jensen.”
My head jerks toward Matt. “Yeah?”
